Application Engineer PTS Sanitary

GEA Germany GmbH; New Jersey; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

12 paid holidays + floating holiday

136 hours PTO

7% 401(k) employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness incentive program

Employee Assistance Program

Health Savings Account

Job summary

GEA Group is seeking an Application Engineer (US) to support sanitary market solutions from Oakdale, MN. You will engage with customers and sales managers to understand technical needs, manage proposals and orders, and deliver precise cost estimates for a range of equipment and services.

You will collaborate with Procurement, Contract Management, Sales, and Engineering. The role emphasizes technical and commercial accuracy, fast-paced task handling, and opportunity recognition across

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to support team members and stakeholders.
• Technical-commercial experience with ability to identify risks and opportunities in projects.
• Analytical problem-solving and initiative to remove roadblocks.
• Experience estimating projects in the food/dairy sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review RFQ documents and determine appropriate offers and exclusions.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and write proposals for equipment and services.
• Ensure proposals and costing comply with governance and procedures.
• Independently plan workload to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Research past opportunities to locate comparable pricing.
• Collaborate with procurement to prepare equipment specs and pricing.
• Participate in trainings and meetings to strengthen knowledge.
• Maintain historical pricing databases and update trackers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

English proficiency

Education

Mechanical or chemical engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Benefits

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

Salary & Benefits

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between - per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States. The pay range is not guaranteed compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as a discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

Job Summary

The Application Engineer (located in Oakdale, MN) – PTS Sanitary is a vital part of the North American Technical Offer Management team, focusing on GEA's Powder and Thermal Separation Technology offerings for the sanitary market (food and dairy). This engineer engages closely with customers and the regional sales managers to fully grasp the customer’s technical needs and serves as the primary point of contact for queries. They are entrusted with the project, technical and commercial aspects of all proposals and sales documents, as well as conducting the final technical review of all orders. The Application Engineer is responsible for generating precise cost estimates and articulating proposals for a diverse range of GEA equipment, services, and systems, collaborating with departments such as Procurement, Contract Management, Sales, Project Management and Engineering.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review customer RFQ documents, including engineering specifications, to determine what is appropriate for GEA’s offer to the client as well as identify any exceptions or exclusions.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and clearly written proposals for a variety of GEA equipment, services, and systems while working with Procurement, Sales, Engineering, other Technical Offer Teams, Technology Centers and other Departments.
• Ensure technical proposals, costing and other deliverables according to technical offer governance, policies, and procedures.
• Independently organize and plan individual workload to manage multiple tasks and meet proposal schedules.
• Research past customer opportunities and projects to find comparable pricing.
• Work with process engineering and procurement to prepare equipment specifications and obtain component pricing from vendors.
• Complete a variety of trainings to learn the GEA sales business, including hands‑on technical training at customer sites/other, classroom settings, remote and in person trainings at European centers of competence, and independent learning through GEA’s Learning Center portal.
• Participate in customer and internal meetings.
• Maintain historical pricing database.
• Update Offer Tracking List.
• Develop and share ideas with team members.
• Work efficiently and stay organized in a fast‑paced environment.
• Applies creative thinking to develop innovative, competitive, and market‑differentiating solutions.
• Follow all GEA procedures.
• Support sales activities with presentations to customers.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to support team members and communicate with stakeholders inside and outside the team.
• Technical-commercial experience with the ability to identify risks and opportunities in projects and budgets.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; can break down complex issues and take initiative to remove roadblocks.
• Demonstrates a consistent drive for excellence and continually raises performance standards.
• Relevant technical experience within the PTS portfolio (evaporation, drying, CIP, powder handling, etc.) and experience estimating projects in the food and dairy industry.
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, P&IDs, and drawings.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be self‑motivated, possess good interpersonal skills and work well in a team setting as well as independently.
• Strong customer focus, organizational skills, attention to detail, planning and time management with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and coordinate work when appropriate; able to function well in a fast‑paced and, at times, stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience

• Mechanical or chemical engineering degree or equivalent experience required.
• More than 5 years of Experience in Application Engineering, Process/Project Engineering, Project Management, and/or Estimating.
• Background experience in the dairy, food, beverage projects, and/or Spray Dryer Technology are highly desirable.

Visa & Work Authorization

This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Diversity & Inclusion

GEA Group is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all clients and employees feel welcomed, accepted, and valued. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Company Culture

At GEA, we don’t just offer jobs, we offer opportunities to thrive, grow, and make an impact. #engineeringforthebetter

#LI-LS GEA is one of the largest suppliers of process technology for the food industry and a wide range of other industries. The international technology group focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets.